{"id":670,"date":"2026-10-11T13:25:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T12:25:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/11\/sa-vs-aus-2026-calls-for-durban-to-stop-hosting-tests-after-low-crowds-bad-light\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T13:25:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T12:25:42","slug":"sa-vs-aus-2026-calls-for-durban-to-stop-hosting-tests-after-low-crowds-bad-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/11\/sa-vs-aus-2026-calls-for-durban-to-stop-hosting-tests-after-low-crowds-bad-light\/","title":{"rendered":"SA vs AUS 2026: Calls for Durban to stop hosting Tests after low crowds, bad light"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last Updated on 1 hour ago by Charbel Coorey<\/a><\/p>\n

The low crowd for the opening day of the South Africa-Australia Test series was immediately thrust into the spotlight<\/a>. Attendances didn\u2019t improve a whole lot over the weekend, with empty stands and grass banks a damning visual via SuperSport\u2019s drone camera.<\/p>\n

In addition, light has been an issue. Conditions change drastically at around 3pm local time, with clouds quickly coming over Kingsmead. There were 65.2 overs on day one followed by 80.2 on day two, courtesy of extended morning and afternoon sessions.<\/p>\n

\u201cKingsmead has lost more Test cricket to weather than any ground in the country for the last 20 years,\u201d wrote Daryll Cullinan for Cricinfo<\/em> last month. \u201cIn October the floodlights will definitely go on, bringing what floodlights always bring: poorer cricket and unhappy batters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Low crowds, bad light: Should Durban continue to host Test matches in the future?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fans, and even former Proteas spinner Paul Harris, have called for Cricket South Africa (CSA) to reconsider scheduling Test matches in Durban. During the second day\u2019s play, Mark Nicholas on commentary spoke of Test cricket\u2019s problem in Durban \u2013 a ground where attendances have historically been on the lower end.<\/p>\n

However, other fans have pointed to the anti-immigration riots in Durban as a key factor for low crowds across the Test. Cars and homes have been torcherd, and shops looted.<\/p>\n

Here are some the reactions to proceedings in Durban.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Ban cricket in Durban!!<\/p>\n

\u2014 paul harris (@paulharris12) October 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

Sunday, by the way, and it’s still empty.<\/p>\n

Durban should no longer host Tests.<\/p>\n

Test matches should be played only in Centurion, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberha and even Bloemfontein.<\/p>\n

SA already play few home Tests. They shouldn’t be wasted in Durban. @ProteasMenCSA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rKXR4gX40g<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ragav X (@ragav_x) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

As a nation, can we come together and rise up against tests being held in Durban? <\/p>\n

Please.<\/p>\n

\u2014 bouchball (@bouchball) October 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

Durban should stop hosting test cricket if this is going to be the turnout for a marquee test series. Very disappointing to see. \"\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6\" pic.twitter.com\/6x7OMpMgIb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

This is gonna anger the Durbanites and I’m sorry but I’m struggling to find a good reason for picking Kingsmead for the opening Test.<\/p>\n

Especially for SAvAUS <\/p>\n

Bad attendance, bad light, bad record<\/p>\n

\u2014 ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

“It’s only empty because it’s a Friday and people work in South Africa”
Baloney . #SAvAUS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tony Steele (@tds122) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

Test cricket’s been a problem in Durban for a while now \u2013 Mark Nicholas <\/p>\n

Thank you Mr. Nicholas, now please tell CSA #SAvAUS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) October 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

People don\u2019t even show up to Test cricket on a Saturday? Durban doesn\u2019t deserve nice things. #SAvAUS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) October 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

Its Saturday and it was yet another crappy Kingsmead crowd, what’s the excuse from Durbanites today?? Still work or school \"\ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\"#SAvAUS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lawrence Bailey \"\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6\" (@LawrenceBailey0) October 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

No more Test cricket to be hosted in Durban, please @OfficialProteas<\/a>. Bloemfontein and KuGompo City (formerly East London) are among the few venues craving for action. #SAVAUS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ronald Masinda (@RONALDMASINDA) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

CSA needs to figure out what will bring the fans back. Often the fans will tell you why they don’t go. Marketing alone can’t be it. Something about getting to Kingsmead or the surrounds is causing this. https:\/\/t.co\/MXf1QmQOq7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Stephen said Steven (@Steph_Gov27) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

Attendance at test match between Australia and SA at Kingsmead was embarrassing. The CSA should hang its head in shame. PR and advertising of the test series has been non existent.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Joburg lawyer (@joburglawyer) October 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

Remove Test cricket from Kingsmead. That ground doesn\u2019t deserve matches like this!#SAvsAUS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ZA_Chamber (@ZA_Chamber75) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

Players heading off for \u201cbad light\u201d and it\u2019s not even 3:30pm on day 1 of the first test. @ProteasMenCSA<\/a> can we please stop scheduling cricket games in Durban. It\u2019s worse enough contending with rain and poor attendance but this is shocking!#SScricket<\/a> #SAvAUS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dylan van der Spuy (@dylanvdspuy14) October 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n

Durban the worst crowds and weather
Take Int cricket away from Durban.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Bingo (@Schoeman1964) October 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

At the time of writing, the Proteas are in trouble at 220\/8 in their first innings, still 170 behind Australia\u2019s 390. Matt Renshaw led the way for the visitors with a superb 190<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The post SA vs AUS 2026: Calls for Durban to stop hosting Tests after low crowds, bad light<\/a> appeared first on CricBlog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last Updated on 1 hour ago by Charbel Coorey The low crowd for the opening day of the South Africa-Australia Test series was immediately thrust into the spotlight. Attendances didn\u2019t improve a whole lot over the weekend, with empty stands and grass banks a damning visual via SuperSport\u2019s drone camera. In addition, light has been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=670"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/670\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}